This section of the News and Media Services department site tracks stories in print and broadcast media that feature Auggie faculty, students, and staff. The area also is home to material developed for University-related programs, events, and more.
Augsburg University will celebrate the class of 2025 at an in-person commencement ceremony at the Minneapolis Convention Center on Friday, May 9. Doors open at 5:00 p.m. and the ceremony begins at 6:00 p.m.
The ceremony recognizes candidates in Augsburg’s two doctoral, nine master’s, and three bachelor’s degree programs:
Doctor of Clinical Psychology
Doctor of Nursing Practice
Master of Arts in Education
Master of Arts in Teaching
Master of Arts in Leadership
Master of Arts in Nursing
Master of Business Administration
Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing
Master of Music Therapy
Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies
Master of Social Work
Bachelor of Arts
Bachelor of Music
Bachelor of Science
Augsburg’s commencement ceremony includes an address by a student speaker and the presentation of two student awards. the Richard J. Thoni Award is given to one member of the graduating class whose actions, commitments, and future aspirations represent commitments to community, hospitality, and innovation. The Marina Christensen Justice Award is given to one member of the senior class whose actions, commitments, and future aspirations most profoundly exemplify Augsburg’s motto: “Education for Service.” Flags displayed at commencement represent sovereign nations of American Indian students and countries of the international students graduating in the ceremony.
Tickets are required to attend in person, but the ceremony will also be livestreamed. Follow the celebration through the hashtag #AuggieGrad on all social media platforms, where students will be sharing images of the celebration.
Amy Cooper has been named Augsburg University’s athletic director effective June 1, 2025.
“After a nationwide search for our next athletic director, we could not be more pleased to welcome Amy Cooper to the Auggie athletics family,” said Augsburg President Paul C. Pribbenow. “With experience as a student-athlete, coach, and administrator, Amy is a seasoned leader who has operated at every level of NCAA athletics. Most importantly, she grounds her expertise in a deep commitment to ensuring that every student-athlete, regardless of background, has the opportunity to succeed.”
Cooper currently serves as senior associate athletics director at the University of St. Thomas, where she has led the university’s transition to NCAA Division I. In her current role, she oversees compliance, financial operations, and gender equity, and holds sport administration responsibility for baseball, women’s basketball, women’s tennis, and volleyball. She previously served as associate athletic director of administration at Howard University, director of athletics at Trinity Washington University, and in coaching roles at South Carolina State University, Southwest Minnesota State University, and Prairie View A&M University.
“Returning to my Minneapolis roots in a leadership role at Augsburg is an opportunity to serve the community that shaped me,” said Cooper, who grew up in South Minneapolis and attended Washburn High School. A standout student-athlete and Athena Award winner at Washburn, she competed in soccer, track and field, basketball, and swimming and diving, earning all-metro, all-conference, and all-state honors in soccer. As an undergraduate, she played for HowardUniversity, the only HBCU with a women’s soccer team at the time, and became the first femaleHBCU player to earn all-conference honors (All-Big South). She holds a Master of Education from Prairie View A&M University and a Bachelor of Business Administration from Howard University. Earlier this year, she received the Wilma Rudolph Courage Award from the Minnesota Coalition of Women in Athletic Leadership.
“Augsburg’s mission aligns deeply with my own commitments to access and student-centered learning,” Cooper said. “Throughout my career, I have championed spaces where all student-athletes feel valued and empowered. I believe athletics is a transformative vehicle, and I want to continue fostering that experience at Augsburg.”
More than 400 Augsburg student-athletes compete across 22 varsity sports at the NCAA Division III level. Reporting directly to the university president, the athletic director is responsible for the leadership, strategic planning, management, and administration of the athletic program. In this role, Cooper will oversee budgets, personnel, planning, fundraising, marketing, media contract negotiations, and the student-athlete experience. She succeeds Jeff Swenson ’79, who will transition to a special assistant role in the Office of the President at the end of May.
Two Augsburg undergraduate students, Ethiopia Kebede ’25 and Mitchel Munzing ’26, have been named 2025–26 Goldwater Scholars. The Goldwater Scholarship, one of the top undergraduate STEM awards in the country, recognizes outstanding students who intend to pursue research careers in the natural sciences, mathematics, and engineering.
Kebede, a physics major, aims to pursue a PhD in astrophysics with a focus in stellar physics and eventually teach at the undergraduate level. In addition to conducting space physics research at Augsburg with Professor Emeritus Mark Engebretson, she creates and shares free math videos via YouTube to address the shortage of STEM educators in remote places.
“One of my memories from grade school is rotating the handle of a generator in a physics lab,” said Kebede. “I remember feeling satisfied when the generator finally lit up the bulb attached to it. From then on, I enjoyed science as a clever way of solving problems. I am excited to pursue a lifelong career in the subject that I love—physics.”
Munzing, a biochemistry major, intends to pursue a PhD to continue research in organic and green chemistry. Outside of the classroom, he is a member and incoming captain of the Augsburg men’s soccer team, where he has been recognized with the Ed Saugestad Award for outstanding student-athlete.
“This past summer I had the opportunity to conduct research in an organic chemistry lab with Dr. Michael Wentzel,” said Munzing. “While at the start the experiments I ran didn’t go as planned, eventually I was able to synthesize biologically significant compounds. Spending the necessary time to [become an expert in a specific field] requires patience, but the reward of discovery makes it worth it.”
This year, Augsburg is one of Minnesota’s top producers of Goldwater Scholars. Applicants for the Goldwater Scholarship are nominated by faculty, sponsored by their academic institutions, and selected by the Barry Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Foundation. Kebede and Munzing were chosen from a pool of 1,350 applicants nationwide.
“To have two winners is really terrific,” said Professor Jacqueline deVries, who supports students through the application process as director of major grants and fellowships in Augsburg’s Office of Undergraduate Research and Graduate Opportunity (URGO). “The Goldwater Scholarship is one of the most prestigious scholarships an undergraduate can win in science, engineering, and mathematics.”
The University of Chicago Divinity School announced this week that Paul Pribbenow, AM ’79, PhD ’93, president of Augsburg University, has been named the 2025 Alum of the Year. This honor recognizes Pribbenow’s distinguished career in higher education, his commitment to civic engagement, and his leadership in fostering inclusive and ethical communities.
Since assuming the presidency of Augsburg University in 2006, Pribbenow has been a champion for access and equity in education, working to expand opportunities for students from myriad backgrounds. Under his leadership, Augsburg has strengthened its commitment to urban education, interfaith dialogue, and community-based learning, reflecting a deep alignment with the Divinity School’s mission of rigorous inquiry and engagement with society’s most pressing moral and ethical questions.
“I am deeply humbled and honored by this recognition, which is especially poignant following the death of Professor Martin Marty, who so influenced the trajectory of my life and leadership,” Pribbenow said. “The ideas that shaped me as a student have continued to anchor my work in the decades since: that religion can be a force for good in the world, that pluralism is a source of strength, and that education is the heart of a thriving society.”
Pribbenow, who earned his PhD in social ethics, is widely recognized for his scholarship in philanthropy, ethics, and public life. His work bridges academic inquiry and practical leadership, demonstrating how theological and ethical perspectives can positively influence institutions and communities. Beyond his role at Augsburg, he has contributed to numerous civic and higher education initiatives, reinforcing his reputation as a thoughtful and engaged leader in both academic and public spheres.
“Paul Pribbenow exemplifies the values of the Divinity School through his unwavering commitment to ethical leadership and the transformative power of education,” James T. Robinson, dean of the University of Chicago Divinity School, said. “We are happy to recognize him as our 2025 Alum of the Year, celebrating his impact as both a scholar and a leader who continues to shape public life with wisdom and integrity.”
A vital member of the Divinity School community, Pribbenow’s engagement in the life of the school has been significant. While he matriculated, he managed Swift Hall’s student-run coffee shop, Grounds of Being, from which all proceeds benefit the Divinity Student Council. As an alum, he continues to be active as a current member of the Divinity School Advisory Council, serving at various intervals since 1996.
The University of Chicago Divinity School will celebrate Pribbenow’s achievements at an awards ceremony on May 2, 2025. As part of the event, he will deliver a keynote address entitled “Wrestling with Angels: Higher Education Leadership in a Moral Key,” reflecting on his career, the role of ethics in public leadership, and the enduring impact of his Divinity School education.
Every year, the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) awards individuals who have made a difference in their state’s social work field. NASW-MN recently named Kao Nou Moua the 2025 Tony Bibus Social Work Faculty of the Year for her leadership and commitment to student success.
Moua serves as assistant professor of social work as well as the Master of Social Work program director at Augsburg University. “Kao Nou is truly a superstar of our department in every way, and I’m thrilled that she’s receiving this recognition from NASW,” says Erin Sugrue, associate professor and chair of Augsburg’s social work department. The award is named after the late Professor Emeritus Anthony Bibus III, who spent over 20 years at Augsburg in addition to serving on the NASW national board.
“I’m grateful to be recognized by my social work peers to receive an award named in honor of Tony Bibus, who passed away last year,” says Moua. “Most importantly, it’s a privilege to be nominated by our wonderful students at Augsburg, who allow me to live out my calling as an educator and advocate.”
At a special presentation earlier this month, the Augsburg University Physician Assistant Studies Program received the Golisano Health Leadership Award from Special Olympics Minnesota.
For more than three years, Augsburg has proudly partnered with Special Olympics to integrate an inclusive curriculum for more than 100 PA students and faculty. What started as a classroom lecture has evolved into a multifaceted partnership, including:
Panel presentations by Special Olympics Ambassadors, where students gain firsthand insights from athletes into the principle of “Nothing about me, without me!” in patient care.
Immersive experiences, such as healthy athlete annual physical exam screenings.
Hands-on training sessions with athletes during simulated clinic visits.
More than 250 hours of Special Olympics volunteer work at the Community Health Fair, Polar Plunge, and sporting events.
“These initiatives not only enrich our students’ education but also prepare them to meet the evolving needs of our communities,” said Vanessa Bester, associate professor of PA studies and director of Augsburg’s School of Health. “We are deeply honored to be recognized for this partnership and the impactful work we continue to do.”
The Golisano Award recognizes health champions—leaders and organizations—that are making a significant contribution to equal access to health, fitness, or wellness for people with intellectual disabilities. It is the highest Special Olympics honor for health partners and serves to promote awareness of the progress and extraordinary efforts toward fulfilling the goals, values, and mission of Special Olympics Health work.
“It’s really reassuring to know that the future generation of PAs are going to be more comfortable working with our athletes and they feel comfortable going to you,” said Jeff Prendergast, senior health programs manager at Special Olympics Minnesota, who presented the award. “I know that if I have an athlete or family looking for care and I find someone that has been educated and trained at Augsburg, I feel very comfortable referring them to you.”
On March 6, The Washington Post featured Augsburg second-year Anna Miranda and Stephanie Ruckel, director of strategic enrollment management, in an article exploring the movement towards direct admissions across higher education. Augsburg moved to a direct admissions model as part of its Augsburg Applies to You initiative in 2022, and participates in the state Direct Admissions Minnesota program.
“Getting the [direct admissions] letter kind of knocked down a barrier,” Miranda said in the interview. “It made me feel more confident.” Ruckel noted that direct admissions can be particularly helpful to first-generation students, easing the fear of rejection and encouraging students to ask more probing questions about whether the school is a fit.
Augsburg students Theo Coval and Augusta Nepor Sowa traveled to Utah for the first annual gathering of the Interfaith BRAID (Bridgebuilders Relating Across Interfaith Differences) Fellowship at the end of February.
The BRAID Fellowship is an Interfaith America initiative designed in response to increasing prejudice and polarization. This program equips student fellows with skills, training, education, and experiences to collaborate effectively with communities close to home and across the country.
“It is so meaningful to have the opportunity to work with Interfaith America and meet so many passionate campus leaders,” said Coval. “It was a genuine honor to be included amongst the peers I met in Salt Lake City, and I am very excited to be working on a campus project as part of the fellowship.”
Coval and Sowa were selected from a national pool of applicants. The program is designed to help students become interfaith bridgebuilders on their campuses and in their communities. Najeeba Syeed, El-Hibri Endowed chair and executive director of the Interfaith Institute, serves as a BRAID Fellowship mentor and works closely with these students as well.
“Being part of this opportunity means stepping beyond conversation and into connection, where diversity isn’t just acknowledged but engaged with, where differences aren’t just tolerated but honored,” said Sowa. “It’s about choosing pluralism, embracing the richness of perspectives, and discovering unity in diversity. In a world where everyone wants to be heard, this experience has taught me the true power of listening with an open heart.”Learn more about the Interfaith Institute at Augsburg University.
MPR News and Sahan Journal recently highlighted Nia-Symonne Gayle ’24 and her senior exhibition project “GOOD Hair,” currently displayed in the Christensen Gallery through February 19. Gayle graduated as an art and design major in December, and her capstone project recreates her childhood living room where her mom would do her hair—including TV, magazines, and hair products associated with the Afro-nostalgia Gayle incorporates into her work. She says this project “is a love letter to her mother and to Black people and Black culture. It’s a reminder that all hair is good hair.”
In fall 2025, Augsburg University will welcome the initial students to a first-of-its-kind doctoral program in Minnesota. The Doctor of Medical Science program offers physician assistants/associates (PAs) a pathway to career advancement in health care leadership and administration, research, public policy, academia, and specialized clinical practice.
“Augsburg has a proud history of innovation, from establishing Minnesota’s first PA program in 1994 to now launching the state’s first PA-doctorate program,” said Associate Professor Vanessa Bester, director of Augsburg’s School of at Health. “The Doctor of Medical Science program continues this tradition of excellence, equipping PAs to excel as leaders, educators, scholars, entrepreneurs, and administrators.”
The DMSc degree is an applied doctorate that emphasizes practical, real-world skill development in health care leadership and scholarship. Delivered in a fully asynchronous online format, Augsburg’s DMSc is a four-semester, 16-month program designed for working PAs seeking professional advancement. To be eligible for admission, students must hold a master’s degree in PA studies (MPAS, MSPAS, or equivalent) or a bachelor’s degree plus a minimum of five years practicing as a licensed physician assistant.
“Augsburg’s DMSc program is unique in its whole-person approach,” said DMSc Program Director Diana Soran. “The curriculum prepares students to develop critical leadership, research, and management skills while also aligning their coursework to support career growth. This intentional design prepares graduates for long-term success and fulfillment both professionally and personally.”
Career possibilities for DMSc graduates include director of clinical operations, graduate faculty member, principal investigator, health policy advisor, health startup development, and advanced practice provider in complex or specialized care settings.
“PAs bring a unique and indispensable perspective to health care, bridging gaps in care and fostering collaboration across medical teams,” said Bester. “By integrating health equity, inclusion, and innovation into real-world application, this transformative pathway empowers PAs to drive meaningful change in health care and in our communities.”
In addition to the DMSc, Augsburg offers doctoral degrees in nursing and clinical psychology.
Augsburg University will celebrate the class of 2025 at an in-person commencement ceremony at the Minneapolis Convention Center on Friday, May 9. Doors open at 5:00 p.m. and the ceremony begins at 6:00 p.m.
